Some people's parents teach them the family business or how to meet a rich spouse or how to cook. Not me. My parents taught me how TO SHOP.
If you love clothes, shoes, food & drink as much as I do, then you are in luck: I am your feet on the street in New York telling you where to get great stuff at a good deal.
Follow me as I trek through the shops and restaurants of New York (and cyberspace) on your behalf...

Tuesday, June 30, 2009

There appears to be more postings nearly every day for all types of jobs at Gilt.com - about 50 right now! "The private online community dedicated to providing its members with access to coveted fashion and luxury lifestyle is always looking for incredible people with the talent and passion to change the way we shop for luxury items online."A sampling of nearly 50 openings:

Sunday, June 28, 2009

I see more and more of these e-mails in my inbox - now nearly once a day. Or - prices slashed. Do I run and see "what's left"? Do I bemoan the fact that I stood in the pouring rain to score a deal, and find out that maybe I scored a "mini-deal" instead?" Unlike a department store, you can't go back and ask for a readjustment. Although given the preponderance of extended sales, I'm beginning to feel like we should - what message does that impart to loyal customers who return year after year for the "score," when we should have out waited the market? It's like buying a Fortune 500 stock when you thought it was a good deal, only to discover that's it's now a penny stock. Yes, we're not the retailers' dream in terms of full-priced sales, but we're their word-of-mouth campaign - sample salers tend to spill the brand name faster than you can whip out your Visa because we're so happy we got a deal.Some of this season's sample sale extenders included Alice & Olivia, Betsey Johnson, Mulberry, Kate Spade and Eugenia Kim. Some of the price slashers include D&G, Anni Kuan and Catherine Malandrino. Shoppers - do you feel you just overpaid for something you bought just two days or two weeks ago? Do you feel buyer's remorse since you may not have even worn your merch yet due to the monsoon like weather we're having? Have you noticed that some brands like The Wrights, J. Crew and White + Warren run more than one sale per season? Have you noticed that brands like Lauren Moffat run an in-person then an online one? Fellow sample salers, what's your best strategy? Some shoppers’ policy is to go only on the last day of the sale since many are priced too high from the start and some brands have gained a reputation for dropping down prices on the last day. What's your risk? Not finding your size and then scooping up something for less, but paying big for alterations. Or, buying something you never wanted in the first place, but you've been waiting to shop this designer's sale...so...you open your wallet for something you never would have bought. Some shoppers do a split - first day, last day. They grab what their "must haves" are on the first day, and then do a last-loop on the final day to see if their B-pick finds are within range. Do you use the last day as an exploratory mission? Originally I discovered two great sales on Friday afternoons - both Beth Bowley and Cynthia Steffe - wondering what could be left as last licks - not much - but I found great brands that fit me perfectly, were priced to go and I went back to the following year. Oh Sample Salers, To Shop or To Wait, That is the Question....

Thursday, June 25, 2009

It’s men’s fashion week in Milan, but it’s discount month in Brooklyn. The Paul Smith Sale Shop in Williamsburg — where prices start at least 30 percent off — is cutting even deeper; everything from bathing suits to striped shirts, plus women’s and children’s ware, is marked down an additional 70 percent. Paul Smith’s clothes “have always been crisp, dressy, optimistic and unafraid of color,” Mike Albo writes. “He not only made it cool to wear shirts with vibrant prints, suits with purple linings, ties with floral patterns but also made it masculine.” And now he’s made it cheaper.

Wednesday, June 24, 2009

PSI from Nancy Brenner:As a public service to all the men who asked for intel on dressing their best - today is your lucky day! Suits for Hugo are $329.99 or 3 for $899.99 and they are beauties. Sorry I don't have pics - no cameras allowed. If suits are beyond your budget, instantly upgrade your wardrobe with a polo for $34.99, a dress shirt for $39.99 (or 3 for $99.99). If you're a sharp dresser, I don't have to tell you what kind of once-in-a-lifetime prices these are - men who aren't sharp dressers - just yet - this is your shopportunity! These shirts normally retail from $125-$175. And each suit usually retails anywhere from $695-$1095. Jeans are $49. Shoes - $79 or 2 for $139. Always spilling something on your tie? Get one for $34.99 or splurge on 3 for $89.99. Men who don't like shopping - be brave - it's as civilized as tea at high noon. No hair pulling. No grabbing. No line for the mirror - you can have it all to yourself. If you guys can handle baseball games, wrestling matches, the U.S. Open or the MTA during rush hour - this will be like taking a nap, but waking up looking much better. Impress your boss, your date, or even your pet Lab - just go! 317 W. 33rd St., nr. Eighth Ave. Today (Wednesday), 9a–5p.

Sunday, June 21, 2009

My theory is that Theory makes a nice pair of pants...a nice pair of pants. But jeez Louise they cost a lot! I refuse to spend $300 on a pair of unlined pants, but I guess I am willing to spend $138. They really fit better than most pants, look fairly cool for work/dress pants, and they can be worn pretty much all year round. So a good investment, I'd say. I got these on the 40% off the lowest marked price rack at Bloomingdale's today. And I suspect I may be able to find others on sale at Nordstrom's, Saks and Bergdorf's...but that is just a theory.

Thursday, June 18, 2009

Let me tell you about the fabulous Cynthia Steffe sample sale - I bought five items for $75 including a black patent leather jacket that still had the $550 tag hanging from it and the dress was $265 from the holiday collection. It will be a holiday for me next year when I rock this $15 frock! These are not recession prices. These are depression prices. There were tons of people on line waiting to get in this morning - even in the torrential rain and the women were hemming and hawing about hitting Tracy Reese, Catherine Malandrino, the Spade sale, etc. It was one of the most hectic sales I've ever been to - hardly anything except for coats and leather was more than $25. Women walked out with whole wardrobes. The mirror situation was tight - only four and hard to find - hogged over by a few women - as is usually the case in these situations. Two were totally hijacked by groups of friends or frenemies and acted as if they brought the mirror with them to the sale - you know the type. Again, if you are the sample size, go to the sale in-person, otherwise hit the Gilt Group one online.

I went to the Renegade Craft Fair in Williamsburg on June 6 & 7.It was a swell time, I ran into people, tried to win the giant stuffed moustache (and didn't). And I didn't buy a thing. However, one item stuck in my head...and this is it: skulls-on-chain.

From Laura of Howell, the piece is made of vermeil (either 14k rose gold, 14k gold, and/or gunmetal), which means sterling silver electroplated with those precious metals. It measures 38 inches.

First official sample sale in more than three years. Dresses, pants, tops, skirts, jackets, gowns and evening separates in signature Cavalli prints and fabrics from the RTW & Couture Collections. Also jeans and tees. And handbags and shoes. More than 10,000 pieces. Save 70% to 80% off. Retail from $500 to $7,000, now $100 to $1,950.

Tuesday, June 16, 2009

I feel like I won the sample sale lottery last night. I must report that I snagged the Michelle O cover of People Tracy Reese pink eyelet kimono for a mere $50 at a garmento sample sale . It retailed for $395. A true sample sale price. Only the week before, Gilt, where I have a credit following an errant purchase, had an online sale and I compared the wares. Many of the items I saw at the sample sale were also online, but at substantially higher prices. Why shop online? If you're not a sample sale size, you may be better off buying online where you know you can get your size in 30 secs without the hassle and hustle of getting there in person. And even though sample sales are starting earlier (a good number now at 8 am and some open until 9 pm - formerly unheard of), it may still be hard to get to given your work schedule, parenting or social commitments since it's almost summer (even though it feels like a London fog one at that). If you're an out-of-towner, online still works unless you want to use your vacations for mini-shopping trysts to New York for sample-sale packed weeks like this one where you can catch Shoshanna, D&G, Catherine Malandrino, etc..... The deals online are still good compared to full-on retail and hand to hand combat at Berdgdorf's, but they are not steals compared with brick and mortar. And the shoes were a mere $45 - why don't they start the line with a size 5? Petite feet need to be shod too! Even men were snapping them up, presumably as gifts. I've noticed way more many men at women's sales - without any women in tow - are they shopping for themselves, a girlfriend, or to flip it on eBay? And please stay away from the dressing rooms! Readers, what say you on online versus in-person?

Monday, June 15, 2009

My friend just got this message today: "We apologize... Rue La La is currently experiencing technical issues. We've temporarily closed today's Boutique while we work to resolve the issues. We apologize for this inconvenience and will reopen the Boutique at the soonest possible moment. Thank you. "

Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Pop Up Shop's address is 98 Green Street between Prince and Spring. The hours are 12-7 mon-sat and 12-6 sunday. The sale started... 40% off of Y's Mandarina and Coming Soon. And, just so you know, they are only selling Coming Soon and Y's Mandarina at the pop up shop.

I went to the Cherry Tavern on E. 6th St. the other night for my friend's birthday. I almost immediately noticed and photographed her new Skull 'n' Bead necklace that a guy at MAC just gave to her when she admired it! And then I admired it...and now you can admire it! We are working on getting the "maker's" contact info so you can go out and get one yourself.

Wednesday, June 03, 2009

If you need to get the old man some new jeans for Father's Day, look no further than the cutting-edge fashions brought to you by Lands' End.

How HOT are these men's jeans with Lycra?But seriously, they offer a very wide range of sizes (unbelievable, in fact) from which to choose, and methinks you would be unlikely to find such a selection in a bricks & mortar store.

They are incredibly cheap $31.60 + shipping ($7.95), and tax, depending on where you live/ship to.

Tuesday, June 02, 2009

Bargain shopper and writer extraordinaire, Nancy Brenner, pens another important piece for GSNYC:

According to Barron's new cover story on the new consumer and the Michelle Index, Michelle O. wields weighty influence over brands like J. Crew whose fortunes rise as a result. Michelle Obama tried to lead the nation as a frugalista by gracing J. Crew even wearing a timeless twin to Jay Leno, but Crew is still an aspirational brand for most Americans. And at the TIME 100 dinner, she showed up in a pricey Michael Kors number. Michelle - try shopping like most American grappling with job losses, furloughs, and two-household paychecks slimmed down to one or none- by being a recessionista. As a veteran of more sample sales then I'll ever admit to, I offer my tips to savings wannabe Obama and real recessionistas on how to earn their sample sale blackbelts. Tips for the frugalista: Ever had someone snatch your very own clothes at a sample sale? It's not just an urban myth - bring a bag with you that's big enough to stuff in your "street clothes" so you don't have to guard them in the makeshift dressing room. Don't want to show up to work or an appointment with your hair in disarray? One savvy shopper clipped her hair close to her head in a signore Chanel scarf so she could keep her coif perfect. Set a stopwatch - establish a time limit from the start - and allow for checkout lines. Be strategic - go for the most limited item first - if a sale is stocked with skirts, but few blouses, get there faster than KFC coupon holders. If you can wing it to NY for a Broadway show, surely it's worth the savings to head to the sales. Amortize extra costs such as parking near the building - consider it part of the expenditure. One woman takes the red eye to hit up her favorite sale, stocks up with racks of clothes and heads home with her booty. At reductions for a Lafayette 148 leather jacket from $895 to $75, it was worth the airfare. Buddy up - go with someone who's judgment you trust and can be an extra "mirror" - and can assess when something is not the perfect fit - maybe Sarah Palin has some free time. Michelle - show us you got game and on your next trip to New York, roll up your sleeves (if you're wearing any) and go where real fashionistas hunt for fabu finds - on long lines to gain entry into dimly lit spaces, with teensy try-on rooms and dresses that even Jackie-O would have worn with grace. Bring the Secret Service with you and find out where the real housewives of New York and their single counterparts hang out and economize.

Monday, June 01, 2009

Savings from 75%-90% below retail on ready-to-wear pieces featuring dresses and tops that showcase the classic Catherine Malandrino style aesthetic as well as rare vintage pieces from the Malandrino Runway Collection.

About Me

I've been beating retail at its own game since the 80s! For decades I have been keeping my shopping techniques secret. People always ask me, "where did you get that!?" I rarely gave a straight answer because I didn't want others to encroach upon my style. But now I'm older, wiser, and more willing to share.
While I make a decent living, I am not independently wealthy by any means. I grew up in a very middle class way as the child of midwestern parents, so I'm fairly down to earth. However, my shopping technique has allowed me to own tons of great stuff...without being in any debt...EVER. Follow me on Twitter too: http://twitter.com/GuerillaShops